The best car in the world is the... Bugatti Atlantic!

The winner of the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best award is the Mullin Automotive Musem's fantastic Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic

A 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic has been awarded the world-renowned Peninsula Classics Best of the Best award, beating seven other global Concours d’Elegance winners.

The award, now in its third year, recognises the most exceptional classic cars in the world and is considered one of the most prestigious crowns in the sector.

A star-studded panel of 24 judges, including Jean Todt and Gordon Murray, pick from eight premier international concours best of show winners. The Bugatti gained its entry for having won the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille.

It is co-owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum and Rob and Melani Walton, located in California. Power comes courtesy of a supercharged engine and it is considered by many to be the first supercar ever made. Only four Type 57 Atlantic models were ever produced, with only three now remaining.

Jean Bugatti, son of the company’s founder Ettore Bugatti, designed the car and based it on the 1935 Aérolithe concept car. The Aérolithe was famously riveted externally rather than welded, for fear of the magnesium-alloy body parts catching fire. Jean kept this signature on the all-aluminium body of the Atlantic.

This model, chassis number 57374, was the first Type 57 Atlantic produced and is the only surviving Aéro Coupé, a designation given to the first two cars that were mechanically similar to the Aérolithe. It was delivered new in 1936 to Britain’s Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, third Baron Rothschild, and has had only a handful of owners in its 80-year history.

Award creator Bruce Meyer said: ‘For the third year, the ultimate standard for judging The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was that of uncompromised quality and design. Of course, this made the selection process most challenging for the esteemed group of panelists.

‘In the end, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic emerged victorious, with its exceptional, bespoke design making it a marvellous combination of art and technology.’

This is the second time that the Mullin Museum has won the annual Best of the Best award, having claimed the inaugural title with its 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS.

'The Atlantic represents the pinnacle of everything I adore about the French automotive styling and widely described as the Mona Lisa of the automobile collector world,' said Peter Mullin, founder and CEO of the Mullin Automotive Museum.

'From its signature curves to its aviation-inspired rivets to the Jean Bugatti designed sleek all-aluminum body, the car is truly a remarkable piece of art. I’m very honored to have shared it with the world amongst other worthy ‘Best of the Best’ contenders.'